The final chapter in a sea rescue saga played out off the coast of Newcastle late today.
Police boats from Nelson Bay and Newcastle were called in, following reports of a semi-submerged motor cruiser off Redhead.
It turned out the 15-metre boat was actually abandoned off Fraser Island two weeks ago, with its crew rescued by a passing ship and dropped off at Newcastle.
Carried south by the current, the wreck posed a navigational hazard, but broke up and sank this afternoon while being towed by police.
